Samsung TV owners given big seven year upgrade as popular free channel returns to screens – check if you’re eligible
SAMSUNG has announced a long-awaited TV boost that will extend the life of televisions – and keep them loaded with new features.
And with a longer lifespan, the new update will also save consumers money.
Samsung is promising select TVs seven years worth of free software upgrades, according to Samsung president Yoon Seok-Woo.
It means TVs will be able to enjoy new features, and existing features like Samsung TV Plus, Gaming Hub and SmartThings, even when they are slightly older.
Earlier this year, Samsung made the same offer to Galaxy phones.
Speaking to The Korea Economic Daily, Jong said the move intends to “widen the gap in market share with Chinese companies.”
The upgrade only applies to Samsung’s 2024 AI TVs and a few of the 2023 lineup.
“AI TVs will serve as the hub of an AI home that connects other AI appliances such as refrigerators and air conditioners,” Yong said.
“We aim to advance the AI home era by allowing users to monitor and control peripheral devices through their TV even when the TV is off or when the user is outside.”
Samsung is currently the most popular TV maker in the world, followed by LG.
However, Chinese rivals TCL and Hisense are growing their market share at a pace that has seemingly spooked Samsung execs.
Samsung TV Plus – the basics
Here's what you need to know...
Samsung TV Plus is a FAST – or “free ad-supported streaming television” – service.
It’s available on a host of Samsung devices, including smartphones, TVs, and Family Hub refrigerators.
You can access Samsung TV Plus is at least 24 countries.
It offers over 200 live channels across a range of genres including entertainment, news, sports, music, and movies.
The service also offers a selection of on-demand content.
It launched in August 2015 and is now one of the most popular streaming apps on Samsung TVs.
New channel
Samsung TV owners, as well as Freeview, Sky, Virgin Media viewers, have also gained a brand new channel.
GREAT! Christmas is returning to screens next week, on 5 September.
And if you’re thinking that’s early, you’re not wrong.
This will be GREAT! Christmas’ earliest ever launch, as it replaces GREAT! Romance.
Broadcasting at 8am every day, the channel will be airing back-to-back festive films.